Oluwaseyi has six goals and three assists in just 516 minutes of action this season.
After years of big money transactions and taking swings on MLS veterans, the Loons have seemingly found the striker they’ve been searching for in Tani Oluwaseyi.
Oluwaseyi, the 17th overall selection in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, has bagged a team-high six goals in Minnesota United’s hot start to the 2024 season.
Through 13 games this season, the Loons are second place in the Western Conference with 25 points. Minnesota trails Real Salt Lake by just four points and has played two games less than the Utah squad.
The 24-year-old has taken over the starting forward role under new Minnesota United manager Eric Ramsay. Oluwaseyi’s athleticism lends itself well to the high-pressing style of soccer Ramsay wants the Loons to play.
“There’s a real athleticism there that makes life difficult for the back line,” Ramsay said after Oluwaseyi scored in the 86th minute in a 1-1 draw against RSL in April. “The second we win the ball, he’s always looking to get in behind, and he’s always looking to get between the two central defenders, which is a really good trait for a center forward. Obviously, he’s taking his chances when they come.
“It’s a nice trait to have and between him and [Teemu] Pukki, you have two forwards with a different profile, both of them with a really knack for goals. Hopefully, down the line we can see that on a real consistent basis, that we’ve got two forwards that are scoring regularly and that will make a big difference for us.”
Pukki, 34, has struggled to get going this season, scoring just two goals in 13 appearances, both coming in the team’s 3-2 win at Orlando back in March.
Oluwaseyi, meanwhile, has been electric for the club, adding three assists to his six goals in 2024. The Loons forward’s nine goal contributions in 516 minutes of action has put him in elite company this season.
24′ | 1-2
*checks watch* TANI TIME!!!!#COLvMIN | #MNUFC pic.twitter.com/lEeiB6eMvu
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) May 26, 2024
Oluwasey’s 1.57 non-penalty goals-plus-assists-per-90 minutes (G+A-PK) is second in all of MLS, behind only Lionel Messi who has a 2.00 G+A-PK in 855 minutes of action.
